Of the St. Louis American
They come in all shapes and sizes and from all different parts of the St. Louis area. Here are some of the top prep football players to watch in ’05.
Bruce Beal (Vianney): A 6’2″ 290-pound senior tackle who anchors the line play for Golden Griffins. Younger brother of Brandon Beal, who plays at Northern Illinois.
Carlos Bisch (St. Pius): One of the top players in Jefferson County. Rushed for 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior.
Niles Brinkley (Beaumont): Senior receiver who is one of the best in the Public High League. He already has offers from several NCAA Division I major colleges.
Jerry Brown (Vashon): A 6’4″ 260-pound senior defensive end who had 12 sacks last season. He gave a verbal commitment to the University of Illinois.
LeMark Brown (Hazelwood West): A 6’4″ 215-pound junior who is one of the area’s top underclassmen. Rushed for 510 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore.
Edward Calvin (Summit): An excellent two-way performer who averaged nearly 30 yards a reception with six touchdowns as a junior. A big key to the Falcons’ breakthrough season in ’04.
Paul Chaney (SLUH): The state champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes will provide big-play ability for the Junior Billikens at quarterback.
Michael Clark (Sumner): The Class 3 state champion in the 100 will be one of the top tailbacks in the PHL. He turned in a time of 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash during the summer.
Adrian Clayborn (Webster Groves): A 6’4″ 240-pound senior linebacker, Clayborn is rated the top prospect in the state of Missouri. He will also play tight end on offense. One of the most physical players in the area.
Tommy Corwin (DeSmet): Senior quarterback who returns after passing for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns for 10-1 Spartans.
Quentin Davie (Cardinal Ritter): A versatile 6’4″ 195-pound athlete who will play quarterback and linebacker for the Lions. He has already committed to Duke.
Jeremy Doss (Mehlville): An All-Suburban West Conference running back who rushed for 992 yards and eight touchdowns for district champions.
Willie Dyson (Kirkwood): A three-year starter at defensive end, Dyson returns after having 10 sacks as a junior. He is the target of several major colleges.
Anthony Easterwood (Ladue): Talented senior tailback who returns to lead a Rams team that finished 9-1 in ’04. Rushed for 921 yards and scored five touchdowns as a senior.
D.J. Ford (Affton): Versatile player who rushed for 681 yards and seven touchdowns in helping Cougars to a district title in ’04.
Jarett Ford (Vashon): One of the biggest linemen in the PHL, the 6’4″ 330-pound Ford was an All-Conference performer for the league champs.
Gerald Fulton (Hazelwood East): Talented senior who will emerge as the Spartans’ top receiving threat after scoring four touchdowns as a junior. Had a touchdown reception in last year’s Show-Me Bowl.
Antonio Gully (Cardinal Ritter): Big-play defensive back who led the area with nine interceptions as a junior. He is being recruited by several major colleges.
Sterling Hardin (Gateway Tech): An All-PHL performer who returns after rushing for 1,274 yards as a junior.
Cameron HIcks (Clayton): A 6’4″ 205-pound senior who is one of the top returning players from the Greyhounds’ Class 4 state championship team. A big play threat at receiver and defensive back.
Sam Johnson (Eureka): A bulldozing senior fullback who rushed for 1,328 yards and 16 touchdowns. Also excels at linebacker. He gave an oral commitment to Mississippit.
Sergio Kaun (University City): One of the state’s top prospects at wide receiver, Kaun had 44 receptions for 740 yards as a junior.
Zach McFerren (Summit): Senior tailback who came up big in Falcons’ breakthough season with 1,254 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.
Robert McField (Normandy): A 6’5″ 230-pound defensive end who registered nine sacks in only five games before being injured.
Jeremy Maclin (Kirkwood): Top-flight talent who led Pioneers to Class 6 semifinals as a junior. Caught 59 passes for 1,184 yards and 21 touchdowns. He gave an oral commitment to Oklahoma.
Michael McNeil (Kirkwood): One of the top tight ends in the area, the 6’4″ McNeil had 44 receptions for 806 yards as a junior.
Marvin McNutt (Hazelwood Central): A talented athlete who stepped in at quarterback at the end of his sophomore season. The 6’3″ McNutt should provide many big plays in ’05 at wide receiver.
Isaiah Mares (CBC): A four-year starter for the Cadets, Mares was a big part of CBC’s stingy defensive unit that won a district championship.
Thomas Merriwether (Hazelwood East): Talented junior tailback who joined the varsity midway through the season and rushed for 950 yards and eight touchdowns for Class 6 state finalists.
Will Meury (Wentzville Holt): The top returning player in St. Charles County. Rushed for more than 1,400 yards in leading the Indians to the Class 4 state quarterfinals.
Paddy Mullen (DeSmet): A 6’5″ 260-pound defensive end who led Spartans to the area’s biggest turnaround season. He has verbally committed to Notre Dame.
Deron Putnam (Hazelwood Central): Senior quarterback who threw for 1,337 yards and 10 touchdowns before missing district playoffs with an injury.
Previn Perry (Lutheran North): Junior running back who rushed for 760 yards and13 touchdows. Will be one of the leaders for a loaded Crusaders’ team.
Munir Prince (DeSmet): Big-time senior who led the Spartans to a 10-1 season. Rushed for 986 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. He gave a verbal commitment to Notre Dame.
Jeremy Rahman (Hazelwood Central): An All-Suburban North Conference receiver who had 25 receptions for 586 yards and five touchdowns. May also see action tailback as well.
Christopher Ramey (Beaumont): One of the top returning players in the PHL, Ramey should be a force at defensive end for the Bluejackets.
Daryl Robertson (Roosevelt): A top all-purpose performer for the ‘Riders. He rushed for 727 yards and 10 touchdowns, had four interceptions on defense and 900 yards in returns.
Jomonique Simmons (DuBourg): Senior tailback who led the Cavs to the AAA title last season. Rushed for 1,582 yards in 2004.
Stephen Simmons (SLUH): Three-year starter who was the MCC Co-Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,269 yards as a junior.
Justin Taylor (Webster Groves): Senior quarterback who threw for 1,095 yards and eight touchdowns. Should post some big numbers in ’05.
Reo Taylor (Eureka): The 6’0″ 270-pound senior tackle will enable the Wildcats to continue their power running success this season.
Antonio Tullock (Festus): An excellent talent in Jefferson County who rushed for 1,283 yards as a sophomore last season.
Todd Washington (McCluer North): Senior tailback who rushed for nearly 700 yards and 10 touchdowns for Class 5 state runners-up.
Keith Williams (McCluer North): The top lineman prospect in the state of Missouri, the 6’6″ 305-pound Williams was an All-State selection on both sides of the ball.
DiMarcus Wilson (MICDS): One of the few top players from last year’s Class 3 state championship team. Had five interceptions as a junior. Should play a bigger role this season.
Carl Word (Hazelwood East): Senior quarterback who threw for 1,948 yards and 19 touchdowns in helping the Spartans to the Class 6 state title game!
